Young Packers fan Zach scores big in picking a favorite team.
My dad was a Packers fan as a teenager. Reggie White came to his school and spoke and even signed autographs. My dad had his rookie card signed, but sadly he lost it. Years later, he became a Titans fan. Somewhere along the way, I began to pick up my own love for the Green and Gold.
The first instance in which I can specifically recall a Packers moment happened on December 4, 2015, which just so happened to be the day I turned 11. I had asked my Dad to keep me updated on the score of the Packers @ Lions. I went to bed that night on December 3 with the Packers losing. On December 4, I woke up and my mom told me “Happy Birthday!”, and then she said, “Dad wanted me to tell you that the Packers won the game on the final play of the game.” I rushed to a computer to watch the highlights of the game now known as The Miracle in Motown. The play my Dad was referring to was Rodgers’ first completed Hail Mary of his career, which Richard Rodgers caught for the walk-off touchdown.
I began to steadily keep up the Packers and my love grew with each day. I was 15 when the 2019 season kicked off. After McCarthy was fired, I had begun to read articles every day and watch the highlights faithfully. On my 16th birthday, I got a smartphone. One of the first apps I installed was the Packers app. I read every article every day and made it a morning routine. The next influential play I remember happened against the Vikings when late in the fourth quarter, Adrian Amos (I believe) made a picture-perfect interception off a deep throw by Cousins. I quickly installed the Yahoo App and began to watch every Packers game that was streaming. And still my love and enthusiasm grew each day.
I really delved into a full Packers season for the first time in 2020. It started all the way in the draft with the selection of Jordan Love and ended with the loss to Tampa Bay. My dad is a Titans fan and my mom a Jaguars fan so beating both of those teams that year really felt good. The next year has been the best so far for me as a Packers fan.
That February, I became an Eagle Scout, and as the custom goes, new Eagle Scouts will contact politicians, celebrities, etc. to get a congratulatory letter. What did I do? Well, my first phone call was to the Green Bay Packers. To my disbelief, they said they would send a letter. It just so happened that while I was at school, a package was delivered to our house from Green Bay, not an envelope, but a real package. I was not allowed to open it up until six weeks later when my ceremony would be held. It was an excruciating month-and-a-half. Finally, the day arrived, and I was allowed to open the box. Not only did I receive an official letter, but I also received a football with the entire team’s signatures plus those of the coaching staff. I was so happy that I could barely believe it.
My passion for the Packers has grown so much that I have gotten into trouble for looking at Packers news instead of doing my schoolwork. When I heard that the sixth stock sale was going to be held, I knew I had to buy one. My Mom said I was just donating to the team, but us real Packers fan understand why. That day, I was in the middle of class writing an essay while periodically checking my place in line. I wanted that stock so badly I went to the bathroom just so I could quickly fill out all the paperwork. Everything was successful and I am now a proud Packers shareholder.
As my love for the Packers grew, I realized I had never been to a game. In the summer of 2021, I looked at arrangements to see the Packers play the Bears at home. That never panned out. My 18th birthday rolled around and the first gift I opened was an envelope from my grandma. I opened it, expecting cash, but out came a receipt from Ticketmaster thanking me for purchasing two tickets to see the Packers travel to Baltimore in less than two weeks. Oh, I was thrilled.
That Sunday, we woke up early and flew to Baltimore. My dad and I had a great time sightseeing, but the real sight was at M&T Bank Stadium. It was a thriller, as you all know, and Ravens fans were not happy. I remember the first time Baltimore went for it on fourth down and was stopped by Campbell. I recall the phantom DPI when a Raven barely even touched Lazard. Then there was Marcedes “Big Dog” Lewis rumbling down the field and nearly scoring a touchdown. Finally, I remember Stokes knocking away the ball on the final play of the game to preserve the lead and AJ Dillon recovering the onside kick. The constant “Go Pack Go” chants and the “Na na na na, na na na na, hey hey, goodbye” song at the end really ticked off the Ravens fans. I could write for days on my experience.
As a Packers fan, the next thing on my bucket list is a trip to Lambeau. I know that will be amazing. I know some Packers fan are upset with the front office and the whole situation. I still disagree with the decision to draft Love, but I have come to peace with it because I don’t run an NFL team. I don’t know all the things that Mark Murphy, Brian Gutekunst, Russ Ball and the others do. Do I think Aaron Rodgers will return next year, of course I do? I never lost faith in him last summer at all. In the Packers.com comment section (may it rest in peace) I saw a line that said, “In Gutey we trust.” Maybe some things could have been done differently, but it doesn’t matter. We went 13-3 in ’19 and ’20 and 13-4 this year and looking to go to our third consecutive NFC Championship game. That is way more than any team can ever hope to achieve. What is my point? Have faith and everything will resolve itself and I look forward to the future as we set off into the frozen tundra to secure another Lombardi trophy. Go! Pack! Go!
